Arriving in Style...

*If only MY shoes could arrive in style like this*

I'm dazzled...

Sometimes all you need is some ambiance...

*click on pictures for credit*

I heart black-n-white photos

Just so you'll know, I'm not a fan of close-ups

but nonetheless...here is my attempt at a black-n-white photo of myself

Yes, indeed...

"To Hope" - by the famous poet, John Keats

Yesterday felt like the first official day of Fall...

and in so many ways, the changes

taking place in the physical has felt like a representation of

the new season of life I am stepping into as a person

This poem written by John Keats so aptly describes

this season for me...

"HOPE"

When by my solitary hearth I sit,

When no fair dreams before my - mind’s eye - flit,

And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;

Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,

And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head.

Whene’er I wander, at the fall of night,

Where woven boughs shut out the moon’s bright ray,

Should sad Despondency my musings fright,

And frown, to drive fair Cheerfulness away,

Peep with the moon-beams through the leafy roof,

And keep that fiend Despondence far aloof.

Should Disappointment, parent of Despair,

Strive for her son to seize my careless heart;

When, like a cloud, he sits upon the air,

Preparing on his spell-bound prey to dart:

Chase him away, sweet Hope, with visage bright,

And fright him as the morning frightens night!

Whene’er the fate of those I hold most dear

Tells to my fearful breast a tale of sorrow,

O bright-eyed Hope, my morbid fancy cheer;

Let me awhile thy sweetest comforts borrow:

Thy heaven-born radiance around me shed,

And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!

Should e’er unhappy love my bosom pain,

From cruel parents, or relentless fair;

O let me think it is not quite in vain

To sigh out sonnets to the midnight air!

Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,

And wave thy silver pinions o’er my head!

In the long vista of the years to roll,

Let me not see our country’s honour fade:

O let me see our land retain her soul,

Her pride, her freedom; and not freedom’s shade.

From thy bright eyes unusual brightness shed -

Beneath thy pinions canopy my head!

Let me not see the patriot’s high bequest,

Great Liberty! how great in plain attire!

With the base purple of a court oppress’d,

Bowing her head, and ready to expire:

But let me see thee stoop from heaven on wings

That fill the skies with silver glitterings!

And as, in sparkling majesty,

a star Gilds the bright summit of some gloomy cloud;

Brightening the half veil’d face of heaven afar:

So, when dark thoughts my boding spirit shroud,

Sweet Hope, celestial influence round me shed,

Waving thy silver pinions o’er my head.

February, 1815.

Sending some inspiration along

So a friend of mine, fellow blogger, Samara - sent me this little bit of inspiration...

I loved it, and me thinks you will too :)

Zooey Deschanel & 500 Days...

Well I have seen, "500 Days of Summer" twice now...

not only because I pretty much love Zooey Deschanel, but because

the movie presented such a creative and indie-heart-felt drama of a story.

Granted, it's not completely a "feel-good" movie since it

highlights the process in how the couple eventually breaks up.

HOWEVER, I thought it does still offer hope in the end

that true love does exist and our relationships

are never just coincidence.

A "Pride & Prejudice" moment...

For some reason this picture made me think of "Pride & Prejudice"

I kinda like it...

*click on picture for credit*

A Wedding in the Summer

So this summer I had the privilege of witnessing the marriage between two friends of mine - this beautiful couple:

The day was probably the hottest day of the summer, yet that didn't stop anyone from having a blast. It was such a beautiful venue and I felt so happy to be there to enjoy all the festivities!Here are a couple of pictures with me and some friends of mine...

Street Fashion

I came across this great article entitled, "Street Fashion" where photographer, "Daniel Krieger came up with this rather brilliant idea of approaching people off the street to ask them about their outfit, then take their pictures. Check out some of the stuff he came up with:

*Don't you just love the picture of the guy and his little dog? I laughed to myself when I saw it*

Stay Tuned...

I have pictures and loads of stories to tell you!

It's been a wonderful summer thus far,...

so STAY TUNED for more

I Heart Kate Spade

Okay...my apologies AGAIN for not posting in so long

but there's a good excuse for it! I lost my camera

that had a ton of pictures I wanted to post online :(

I know...*sadness*

In the meantime, I saw some of the new

stuff Kate Spade's collection has in store

which I absolutely adore - all the bright colors

I'm in love

A Song I wrote

So I thought I would share the words

to one of the songs I've written

But before I do, let me give a brief explanation

as to the purpose for the song...

Originally I wrote it after heading to

the store one afternoon and coming across

a couple who was fighting, with nothing but

horrible, degrading words spewing out of this guys

mouth towards the woman he was with.

I wondered if he beat her at home...

I was concerned...

And it stayed with me for several days

That, and things like it stir me up to do something to help

bring change, in some way...

to bring hope, even through my songs

to a culture where there is so much dysfunction and

brokeness in relationships and peoples lives...

I want to write songs that will take

me to the orphanages, the prisons, the dirty streets,

the high schools and colleges

with words that will light a fire under people for change

My life is a journey, a work in progress - just as my music is...

This is one of my songs: PRISON MAN

1st VS: He slammed the car door

yelled obscenities galore

In my face, he said "I'll do it again"

I felt the bruised heel as my body lay still

On my knees again, let me be livin'

CHORUS: These pictures will have to remain in the frame

and there will be no curtain bow as I exit this stage

cause I'm not afraid anymore

No, I'm not afraid anymore

I'm leaving this time

2nd VS: I hear his steps below

as I'm cradled on my bed

His thunder pounds

please make him quiet

I run into the streets

to find solidarity

oh this prison man is not gonna cage me, not gonna cage me

BRIDGE: I'm on the seven seas, I was walking like the dead

'till I turned around and shut him up and put him on his head,

I refuse to listen - I'm leaving the lions den

I'm gonna win this war

*copyrighted* by Kandice Holt

*a picture of me and a friend after putting on a music, arts event show

"Night of the Orphan Soul"*

The Time Traveler's Wife: Must see!

I am such a fan of Rachel McAdams

so I am 'uber' excited to see this movie on Friday!!!

Summery Treats

Ah...don't you just love summer weather? For me, when it gets to be in the 80 or 90 degree temperatures, I always crave something sweet that's frozen, cold, and/or fruity. I found a few recipes for some frozen/summer treats that you can make at home! I'll be honest, I haven't tried any of the following, but I'm set to make some of these tasty treats soon! Don't they look DELICIOUS! ?! *click on pictures for specific recipe*

Frozen Raspberry Layer Cake

Spiced Blueberry Soup

Strawberry Creams



Strawberry Cupcakes

Je T'aime

Yes, I think this may be the real deal...

*I love this couple*

*photographer: Courtney Jade*

Spread Happiness

This picture is titled, "Spread Happiness"

and I think I want to do a lot of that

in my life!

It's in the little things...

• like writing little notes to a person that needs encouragement
• giving hugs
• Giving mixed CD's of music saying, "this made me think of you"
• vulnerable conversations
• buying a strawberries & creme frapp to surprise someone
• taking someone out to the movies
• listening
• throwing parties
• laughing at jokes
• sing a song
• pray
• choosing joy
• choosing to love
• choosing life
  

I'm German inside - but I like Spanish things!

In one of Sunset Magazine's recent editions, it highlighted the following Spanish-style designer home, which I fell in love with...

I am 50% German and 50% Hispanic....

but I'm thinking I may have more Spanish in me than I thought

because I always gravitate towards the bright colors

of the latin culture!

*pictures by Sunset Mag*

Lovely Garden/Patio Ideas

'Tis Summertime!

and

I love getting ideas to

have a creative & authentic space for a garden/patio

Tell me what you think of the following ideas!

I thought they were beautiful!

*Pictures all by Sunset Magazine*

Stripes & a nose pierce

How CUTE is this girl!?

I absolutely love her style and she

is completely rockin' those glasses - makes me want a pair.

I want to get a nose pierce...like her...

Have you seen this?

Have you seen this?

A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E

Found it on "LeLove" blog

Playing in the water

When I saw this picture I immediately thought about all the days I spent outside, as a little girl during the summer and playing in the sprinklers...

I loved playing in the sprinklers

a HOT weekend

Oh. My. Goodness.

It was SUCH a hot weekend - 100 degrees!

It's officially summer, and I pretty much just stayed indoors

the entire weekend because of the heat.

That's okay though! I was able to work more on my music...

Yeah for inspiration!

Reesey-Piece - It's Your Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY REESE!

It's my little sisters 19th birthday today!

I can't believe she's already 19 - man, she's growing up so fast...

I absolutely love this picture of her - it always makes me laugh

Isn't she just so pretty!?


10 ThInGs to love about Reese:

1. Her laugh: it's the most contagious and wonderful sound you'll hear from a little person
2. She's a writer: A very eloquent one at that -she'll move a person to tears with some of her poetry
3. She is a GREAT game player and makes my competitive streak come out
4. She is the best person to watch a comedy with - her joy is contagious
5. She's a deep thinker
6. Can remember practically ANYTHING - consult her on most subjects and she will more than likely give an answer or definition to it.
7. She's a romantic - incredibly sentimental
8. Man from Snowy River is one of her favorite movies
9. Her cute little button nose
10. The way she can encourage someone to make them feel like a million bucks

LOVE YOU REESE!

Angel Island & the birthday celebration

This past weekend was a blast!
Not only did I get to enjoy another celebration

for my 25th birthday with some gal pals of mine,

but I got to spend two days in a row at Angel Island

*Here are some pictures of my weekend*

*Here's us girls at 'Crepevine' Restaurant...Mmm!!!

*My friend Jasmine and I* - Did I mention she does AMAZING spoken word?

This girl has skills!

*My friend Elissa & I*

She's moving to Israel in October - I'm so jealous!


*Off we go to Angel Island!*

*Kristen & I with baby Kylie*

*Here's the part of the gang! Although we're probably

missing half of the people in this pic*

*Finally, a picture with my dad on Father's Day*

I love you Padre